According to a Entorno Inteligente report (computer translated), the Chinese Foreign Ministry today defended the need to respect the principle of non-interference between governments in response to threats by US President Donald Trump to intervene militarily in Venezuela because of the political crisis in that country.

“All countries should conduct their bilateral relations on the basis of equality, mutual respect and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs,” ministerial spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a news conference.

China “always follows the principle of not interfering in the affairs of another country,” added the official source, days after Trump noted that the military option against Venezuela was contemplated.

The Chinese government has avoided commenting in recent weeks on the situation in the Latin American country, although the controversial vote for the National Constituent Assembly said that it had developed “in a stable way.” He also expressed the wish that the government and opposition in Venezuela should initiate a peaceful dialogue to maintain stability in the country.